The Past Is Not A Foreign Country, It's Two Tube Stops Away

[liadnan]

I've just spent a fascinated half hour poking around Prokudin-Korskii's photographs of Russia from about 1907 to 1915. Colour photographs, some time before colour film was invented (he took three photos of each image, through red, green, and blue filters, the three negatives have now been digitised and had things I Do Not Wot Of done to them by magic computer elves).

They're absorbing in themselves, but the impact of colour is staggering. I'm having one of those "the past is just over there" moments. If that means anything to anyone else. Probably not. Link found by poking around on Ryan's journal, he being the man behind not only "Songs as Lists" but also the wonderful Dinosaur Comics (have a look at the archive, if you aren't already familiar with this work of genius). Like him, this, of Alim Khan, Emir of Bukhara (1880-1944, photo 1911) is my favourite.

***

In a rash moment this afternoon I appear to have said I might go clubbing on Friday, albeit only to Popstarz. Hmm. We shall see. I also threatened to wear a tweed jacket, but suspect this will, in fact, not happen.

Comments

[clanwilliam.livejournal.com]

Ah, those. Yep, Shezan on my friends list was raving about them a few months ago and they are truly extraordinary.

[nicnac.livejournal.com]

Beautiful - looks more like a painting than a photo.

[alan1957.livejournal.com]

splendid images.

[anarcha.livejournal.com]

What da heck is "Popstarz"? I'm almost afraid to ask...

[liadnan]

http://irlondon.co.uk/matty.content.php?content=clubs&clubid=70

[alan1957.livejournal.com]

okay, i know i'm a vair ol' man...but wot the fuck's 'baggy'?

[kateelizabee.livejournal.com]

Thanks for that, I was looking for those awhile back =)

[tefkas.livejournal.com]

WOw, that's cool...

[ajva.livejournal.com]

Hey! Those photos are fantastic! Thanks.

[hano.livejournal.com]

You ever hear anything by the Happy Mondays?

[joffstar.livejournal.com]

Yep, I'm getting that whole time travel vibe too. Astounding. They look like they could have been taken yesterday. And also made me realise that I, embrassingly, still subliminally think of 'the past' in sepia tones, mostly. Appalling, when you think about it. Not the Victorians, but certainly the Edwardians. The Elizabthans are fine, though - they get technicolour. Bizarre, ain't it? The First World War's especially bleak in my head, but that's what happens if you fight in northern Europe in the mud.

Makes me wonder whether the point at which photography is invented is more of a defining moment than it's usually made out to be, in fact, despite undeniably worthy postmodern arguments about the nature of the captured image.

Also, come to Popstarz! Gwan.

Joff

[dr-lovely.livejournal.com]

Lovely photos, also I agree with joffy about the black-n-white world. V cool.

[alan1957.livejournal.com]

'You ever hear anything by the Happy Mondays'?

fank yew young stranger...am vaguely aware of the above..but, 'baggy'? anyway, i shall do more research when i am once again in the company of those born since the vietnam war ;-)

Also, come to Popstarz

[liadnan]

How l,ong did you last by the way? Think I left around half two.